Earlier this week, the New York Times’ John Harwood exclusively observed this to Extreme Mortman …

The Washington Redskins are the Mike Huckabee of the NFL.

Judging by the results of both the latest Iowa polls and today’s Dallas Cowboys game, however, it looks like Huckabee and the ‘Skins now are headed in opposite directions.

So rather than cite what Mike Huckabee had to say today on “Meet the Press” or on the campaign trail, it’s a better use of our time to quote Washington’s newest rising star, Redskins quarterback Todd Collins.

Here he is in USA Today:

Todd Collins earned a degree in political science from the University of Michigan, and is intrigued by the presidential political process this time of the year.

“I know it’s still early,” the Washington Redskins quarterback says, “but the Iowa caucuses are in just a few days, right? And then New Hampshire?”

Right.

“So we’ll just have to see what shakes out. It’s going to be real interesting, though. I’m just kind of enjoying it as a spectator right now.”

Being that Collins loves almost all things Massachusetts, what does he think about the chances of his state’s former governor, Republican Mitt Romney?

“Well, he did OK in Massachusetts, but I’m still waiting to see what happens in the caucuses,” Collins says.

On the Democratic side, Collins agrees with the idea that a woman (Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton) or a black man (Sen. Barack Obama) might win the nomination for president and have a credible shot at the White House is a welcome chance to watch history.

Clinton’s chances? “I guess she’s still leading in the national polls, but it’s so early,” he says. “Could she do it? Sure.”

Could Obama do it? “I don’t see why not. It seems like he has a lot of growing support out there right now.”

That works for us.  With Collins leading the Redskins into the playoffs, we’ll take anything he says about the presidential campaign as gospel.  He certainly bests the last Redskin quarterback who ventured into politics, Heath Shuler.  And as burgundy-and-gold fervor sweeps the nation, perhaps Hillary Clinton might even consider changing her name to Hillary Clinton Portis.